Actor and disability advocate Chloé Hayden is learning to prioritise what matters
Actor and disability advocate Chloé Hayden lives in regional Victoria on Wadawurrung Country.
The 27-year-old stars as Quinni on Heartbreak High, with the show's third and final season streaming this year.
Chloé says the entertainment industry is exciting to work in, but it's "also really difficult when you're neurodivergent and rely so heavily on routine".
Chloé was diagnosed as autistic in her adolescence and lives with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), endometriosis and adenomyosis.
"I'm a lot better at looking after and respecting my neurodivergent brain," she says. "I don't yet have the same grace for a sick body."
But she's learning to rest and make room for what she loves beyond work.
When I go out to be with my horses is probably when I feel the happiest.
Or, when I let myself relax.
Not the pretend relaxing where I'm telling my body that we're relaxing but my brain is going over a million things that I must do or that I'm feeling ...when I'm just reading a book or playing a video game, truly being-in-the-moment relaxing.
Since getting [the role of Quinni], my horses were put on the back burner. That was very scary and honestly caused a pretty big identity crisis.
I'm a competitive horse rider and I can't train my horses up knowing that I might have to [be called back to work before a competition].
I just went,"well, I guess I just won't do anything with them because there's too much emotion and heartbreak if I have to [leave for work] again".
I was then really confused when I was sad and anxious all the time.
I sat down and I spoke to some people, and I realised that there was no reason why I couldn't have both. I just wasn't prioritising things that I needed to prioritise.
I'm still trying to figure it out and learn when I need to stop. I'm also trying to learn when I need to accept help from other people.
I know what does help is switching off and respecting when my body is giving me signals to stop and taking that time off to rest.
Lying on the couch with my cats all over me and playing a video game and letting my husband look after me completely, giving in to going "you're not broken or wrong, you don't hold less value or worth because you're letting someone help you out".
I can't cook to save myself, but my husband knows my safe [comfort] foods. My mum's dal recipe is a big safe food.
If I'm having a shitty day, he usually knows before I do. He'll make sure that I'm eating and drinking throughout the day because it will get worse if I'm not looking after my physical body.
I love being in the bush, I love having open fields around me, I love being away from everyone and being able to see the stars at night and being able to have all of my horses surrounding me.
You couldn't convince me to ever live in the city.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
8 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘On the rise': New Year 12 trend exploding in popularity
An elaborate new formal trend is sweeping Australian schools – but unlike the glitz and glamour of the main event, this takes place months beforehand. Students are increasingly taking part in the showstopping art of 'promposals', a dramatic and creative way to ask someone to be your date on the biggest night of the school leavers' calendar. The staged event originates from the US where Americans have been going all-out for decades, but videos flooding social media show the 'school formal proposal' is now rapidly growing in popularity here too. One recipient of the new Aussie tradition is 17-year-old Lilly Devlin, whose boyfriend of seven-months Riley Exelby, surprised her at their Queensland high school with a very extravagant invitation. Walking into school at 10am on a typical Wednesday morning, the pupil was stunned as she was surrounded by a never-ending line of teenagers, all clapping and cheering. 'It was quite overwhelming, everyone was just so happy for us, and as I walked down the path some of my best friends were handing me flowers,' the teenager told 'It was so nice, it made me feel really special.' At the end of the aisle, Riley was waiting for her with chocolates and a pot plant in his hands, as his friends surrounded him holding signs that read: F-O-R-M-A-L? After sealing the deal with a kiss, Lilly – who by this point was clutching a huge bouquet of red roses, pink lilies and white baby's breath – turned to the crowd of watching students and gave the ultimate sign of approval: a thumbs up. Later, she shared a video of the heartwarming moment on TikTok, with the caption: 'We [Australian flag emoji] not [United States flag emoji]. FORMAL? YESSS!!!' The clip quickly blew up, amassing hundreds of thousands of views in a matter of days, many agreeing they couldn't believe formal proposals were now a thing. 'This being in Australia makes it more impressive,' noted one. 'School wasn't that cute when I went to formal,' said another. Riley said it took him several weeks to plan everything, explaining the hardest part was keeping it from Lilly. 'She had no idea what was happening, it all worked out pretty well in the end,' he told 'I think we're the first people to ever have a school formal proposal at our school, it's kind of cool to know we'll go down in history.' While many social media users declared the stunt 'adorable', arguing that Riley – who is also 17 – had 'set the bar high' for the other kids, some schools have started to crack down on students. Aquinas College, an elite secondary school on the Gold Coast, reportedly banned students from 'promposing' to their dates for formal at the end of last year. It also allegedly threatened one student, who was keen to partake in the blossoming tradition, with suspension. The reasoning behind taking strict action against promposals comes from the school's concerns about videos being shared on social media, the Courier Mail reported at the time. But kids at the school argued it was 'wrong', with one unnamed student stating: 'It shines the light on love, friendship and kindness within the school community.' Lilly's mum, Beck Devlin, said that unlike other formal trends – which are often costly – this was just a heartfelt display of affection. 'I thought it was just beautiful of Riley to make my daughter's formal so memorable, to go to such trouble, and not just him, but it was also his mum and dad and his sister who helped orchestrate everything, it was just so special,' she told 'There was a lot of planning behind the scenes, and trying to hide it from Lilly, but it all came together so beautifully. 'School formals can put a lot of pressure on kids, but what Riley has shown here, is back to basics love and respect. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money.' Other videos filmed and shared on social media show similar scenes happening at schools across the country. One clip on TikTok shows a young girl receiving a pink bouquet from her suitor in front of a large crowd of uniform-clad students with the caption, 'hello hello formal date'. While another shows a hopeful Year 12 boy taking hold of a microphone during a sports assembly to ask out the girl he'd like by his side at the annual school event. The rise in popularity has also seen florists experience a boom, with Brisbane business Unveiling Poppy, selling a large number of items specifically for proposals. 'School formal proposals with custom luxe floral bouquets have become very popular, especially with our local students,' owner, Amy Gurling, told 'It's a trend that is definitely on the rise, but we also sell a lot of formal corsages for the big event too.' With Lilly and Riley not set to celebrate until November 19, the hunt is now on for the perfect couple outfits. 'I'm wearing a red gown and one of our friends has a big Ford F-250 truck which we'll be taking, it is so exciting,' she said. 'It's definitely going to be a night we'll remember forever.'
SBS Australia
31 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
Government hosts Economic Reform Roundtable to boost slowing productivity
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Hindi-speaking Australians. Ease into the English language and Australian culture. We make learning English convenient, fun and practical.
ABC News
36 minutes ago
- ABC News
DZ Deathrays, Dear Seattle and more join fundraiser festival for Bugs bassist Jordan Brunoli
Brisbane venue The Tivoli is hosting a massive day festival this October to raise funds for Bugs bassist Jordan Brunoli, who was recently diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer. Organised by local music industry groups GRAIN & Sunroom, Saving A Bug's Life will feature more than 13 sets over two stages, with the likes of Dear Seattle, Beddy Rays, Sly Withers and The Buoys all stepping up to the plate. Bugs themselves will also headline the night, as well as DJ sets from DZ Deathrays, RAAVE TAPES and more. All the proceeds and bar profits will be donated to help Jordan out with fees for treatment, specialist appointments, medicines and equipment. The music community came together after Bugs disclosed Jordan's diagnosis this June on Instagram, ahead of him beginning chemotherapy. "At just 29 years of age this has come as a huge shock to his family and loved ones," the band wrote. "Jordan has spent over a decade selflessly giving his energy to our band Bugs, and through that effort has made a profoundly positive impact on the lives of many. "He has always done this from a place of generosity and love; his primary motivation being connecting with people via music and performing." Lots of other bands, including Powderfinger, Dune Rats, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Ruby Fields and Teenage Joans are also throwing their support behind Jordan too. They're all contributing signed vinyls and prizes as part of the day's four raffle prizes to be won throughout the day., which also include hotel stays, vouchers and instruments too. Your ticket will instantly enter you, or you can still grab one online if you can't make it on the day and want to support. Tickets are already on sale now, with info on all the raffle prizes and more over on GRAIN's site. Get on down for a good cause. Saving A Bug's Life Saturday 4 October - The Tivoli, Yuggera Country, Brisbane, QLD
